Attractions in Doha Qatar

Tourists can explore the natural environment of Qatar by taking an exciting desert safari, relaxing at the many beaches and pools or just enjoying their favourite sport, be it bowling alleys, tennis, snookers, billiards, golf courses, or ice skating rinks. There is something for everyone in this wonderful place.

Camel racing, traditionally known as the sport of the sheiks continues even today in the small hamlet of Al Shahaniya, where Qatar’s popular camel racetrack is situated. Visitors are charmed with an exceptional prospect to view the fiercely competitive and one of the most expensive sporting events in Qatar.

Al Thakhira is a coastal stretch of land at the northern end of the Al Khor Corniche. The approximate length of the beach is 10 km. Much of the seashore is sabkha (salt flats) which becomes like quicksand and when it is wet it is really very treacherous as well as adventurous. This beach includes a number of sceneries: old shoreline, mangroves, outcrops, desert and much bird life.

Aqua Park, the premier water themed park in Qatar is located in the Abu Nakhla area, Doha. The conception and construction of the park was by Aqua Masters (Cyprus) and operation is managed by Kuwait-based Al Jazeera Entertainment Enterprises Company which has been managing water theme parks for 15 years across the Gulf.

This massive green oasis lies hidden behind the Villaggio and Hyatt plaza, Doha's popular shopping malls in the Aspire zone. The Park is the biggest in the city which isn't classified as a tourist attraction as such. However, it stands as a splendid contrast to the characteristic surrounding desert landscape and is an exceptional jewel to realize and experience whilst in Doha.

Stretching into the stunning Arabian sky, the Barzan towers emerge above the neighbouring landscape and provide the wonderful place to gaze out to sea. Formerly built as watchtowers, Barzan Tower is erected in the Umm Salal Mohammed municipality and this Tower was built in “T” shape.

The Doha Corniche is indisputably the most attractive part of Doha studded with exciting green surroundings and remarkable modern architecture. The Corniche is a waterfront palm-fringed boulevard and twin carriageway, extends in a horseshoe shape and runs 7 km along the Doha Bay and the city's sea-front.

The film city is a contemporary recreation of an antique Arabic village nestled behind a canyon in the desert of the Zekreet peninsula. The Film City is located in one of Qatar’s truly fantastic site that is entirely deserted. The visitors really feel as they may have stepped into one of the ghost towns in the American west; with anomalous palm trees rather than tumbleweeds afford a visual treat in the never-ending arid landscape.

The Doha fort, known as Al Koot fort is one of the historical military fortress in Doha. Located in the midst of the famous Souq Waqif of Doha and the site of the old town, it was built in the 19th century as a police station and now it was converted to a museum.

Of the many delightful and fun-filled things to see in Qatar, the Doha zoo is one of the most exciting, most family-friendly places to visit. Situated about a 30 minute drive from the city centre, Doha Zoo represented a miniature animal kingdom and offered a great opportunity to see some of the more traditional zoo animals and region’s desert creatures.

Khalifa international stadium (also called as National stadium) is the first multi-purpose stadium in the State of Qatar and hosted several national and international events, such as the GCC football tournaments.

Khor Al Udaid is considered as the desert marvel of Qatar and is located in a strategic location 80 km away in the south-east of Doha. The Khor Al Udaid Beach is very famous for its relaxing and tranquil environment where visitors can break away from the daily hassles of everyday life, and can simply exile themselves and go aboard on a soul searching journey.

Arab Museum of Modern Art in Doha is the first establishment of its kind in the world with the most esteemed archives of art from all over the world. Mathaf(is pronounced 'mat-haf' and means "museum") is envisioned to be used as a stimulating space for dialogue and scholarship about international modern and contemporary art, as well as serve as a platform for artists in Arab diaspora and beyond.

Qatar, surrounded by water on three sides has inevitably made scuba diving an enormously-popular activity enjoyed by all ages. The warm, turquoise waters of the Gulf and with campaigns highlighting the country’s marine life make the location most sought-after recreational diving destination.

The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum is one of the most unique museums in Middle East with dazzling collections which have something for everyone: culture vultures, history buffs, adventurers, art lovers and even vacationers. This is one of the biggest private museums in the world and is worth a visit with lot of things to enjoy.

Simaisma is a sleepy and serene coastal hamlet north of Doha in Al Dayeen Municipality. This village dates back to 1938, built in the 19th century by pearl divers and local fishermen. The village can be accessed comfortably from Al Khor Highway, nearly 21 km from the start of highway from Doha.

The state Mosque Qatar is one of the largest mosques in Qatar and has been renamed after the great Muslim theologian, reformer and pioneer of the 18th century "Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab". Ibn Abdul Wahab (1703-1792) propagated for removing negatives and undesirable innovations in Islam. He admonished Muslims to follow only the original values of Islam as typified by the Salaf and to discard exploitations introduced by bidah (heretic innovations) in his teachings.

Zekreet is also enclosed by an amazing landscape with remnants of old settlements and prehistoric sites which is where visitors can find desert mushrooms and fine sand dunes. Also called as Ras abruq Beach, the road to Bir Zekreet passes through the wild deer reserve taken care of by the Environment ministry and through an old movie set that looks like a deserted village.

The Kingdom of Aladdin (Entertainment City)

The Kingdom of Aladdin is located at the West Bay area and comprises more than eighteen play features for all age groups. It also has an artificial lagoon, a rest house, a cafeteria and a theatre. It remains open Sunday through Friday, and Mondays and Wednesdays are dedicated for ladies and children under twelve.

Al Rumaila Park

The park is located on Doha Corniche with grass areas, restaurants, children rides and shopping facilities. It remains open round the clock.

Dahl El-Hamam Public Park

Located in Khalifa Al-Shamalia, this public park comprises plenty of green lawns, children play area and space for walking.

Khor Al Udaid Beach

This beach is located on the southeastern part of the country, 78km from Doha. The beach is characterized by its excellent sand dunes that are as high as 40meters in certain locations. Other beaches include the Dukhan, Fuwairit and others.

Al Jassasiya

These are a range of rocky hills facing the northeast coast of the country between the two villages Fuwairit and Al Huwailah. They are famous for their stone carvings some of which are dated back to pre-historic times.

Oryx Farm

Visitors to Qatar get to see the Oryx in its natural surroundings at the Oryx Farm, which is located at Shahaniya. Oryx, being the national animal of Quatar, one cannot find them in such large numbers anywhere else in the world. Arabia horses are well-known for their beauty. One gets to catch a glimpse of the Arab show and race horses that are pure-bred at the Al Shaqab Stud Farm. Other attraction is the Qatar Equestrian Club, where visitors come over to view its stables. Races and show-jumping events are held at the Rayyan Racing and Equestrian Club.

Water Sports and Cruises

Being surrounded by the Arabian Gulf on all three sides of the peninsula, there lies plenty of opportunities for cruising and water sporting. Sailing is a good pastime here, and many private firms offer windsurfers and dinghies for rent and there are sailing classes for novice sailors. A sunset cruise on a traditional dhow (Arab sailing ship) provides one with a stunning view of Doha at night, while luxury yachts could be rented for full day fishing trips. Apart from this, there are pedal boats, water cycle, parasailing, and wind-surfing.

Desert Safari

Making a trip to the inland sea, located in the middle of the desert, could be a fabulous way of spending the day. Sand dunes that are 60meters in height could be found along the way. Most air-conditioned vehicles are geared with necessary safety equipments to take one through an exciting, safe, tour to the mysterious desert. While traveling on the sand dunes, one gets to catch a view of the desert, and on listening closely one could hear the sands shift, while descending down the slopes.

Shopping

Eager shoppers can get whatever they wish for in the large shopping complexes or tiny stalls in the market. Doha, with facilities such as the Doha City Center, which is the largest shopping complex in the Middle East, offers brands of world-class reputation, in addition to various other exciting family facilities. In the markets, unlike in all other places, items are not marked with traditional price tags.

Ice Skating/Bowling

The Doha City Center has ice skating rinks, where skates can be rented and two bowling alleys with one exclusively for ladies. The Qatar Bowling Center has the ten-pin bowling in a 32-lane facility.